MP calls for 'extermination' of urban foxes after attacks on Fulham residents

Urban foxes should be 'exterminated' to prevent further attacks on city dwellers, according to Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands.

Mr Hands spoke in Parliament to push for the animals to be reclassified as vermin, following the high profile cases of two Fulham women who were bitten by foxes in their own homes.

Annie Bradwell – as reported first by the Chronicle – had her ear bitten as she slept by a fox which crept through an open window at her flat in Sands End. The attack in August left the 46-year-old needing hospital treatment.

Her Fulham neighbour, Natasha David, 33, was the victim of a similar assault six weeks earlier when a fox crept into her bedroom at night and sank its teeth into her foot.

Mr Hands asked environment secretary James Paice to discuss with fellow ministers 'measures to exterminate urban foxes' and urged him to classify the animals as vermin along with rats and mice, which would require Hammersmith and Fulham Council to take action when residents complain.

He told the Chronicle he had seen the problem worsen in the borough over the last 15 years, gradually spreading south from Shepherd's Bush in the late 1990s.

"Then came central Hammersmith, and by 2007 they had gone all the way down to the river in Fulham – it's really been a growing problem," said Mr Hands.

"We have to get human rights at least on a par with animal rights. People should be able to sleep in their own bed with the window open, without fear of having their ear bitten off."

The MP said he hoped the issue could be addressed before the summer, when foxes are more of a problem and are able to get indoors more easily.

Mr Paice responded by telling the MP during Thursday's Parliamentary discussion that the extermination of any kind of fox is 'neither desirable nor possible', but that a change of the law is not needed to allow local authorities to take action.

He said: "It is perfectly within their remit to take action if they have the kind of problem with the fox population to which my honourable friend refers."

The environment secretary added that there is evidence that some people have been trapping urban foxes and releasing them into the countryside, leaving the animals disorientated and confused.

Responding to Mr Hands' comments, Greg Smith, the borough's resident services leader, said: "The council is concerned about the number of foxes that roam our streets and will take swift action if we find dens on council land.

"As with any pest, responsibility for dealing with foxes lies with the landowner and householders are strongly advised to contact a pest control company that specialises in this area if they have a problem."